Upcoming/Recent Shows & Projects

We'd like to extend a very special thank you to the Dakota West Arts Council and the City of Bismarck for helping to fund our newest show! Coming soon!

DON'T WORRY! THE MODERN WOMAN'S GUIDE TO 100% HAPPINESS (OR YOUR MONEY BACK) written by Karen Van Fossan and Dragon Jane. Friday, September 11, 2009 at 8 PM. Woman Song in LaMoure, ND.

DEVILS LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS RESIDENCY. Devils Lake, ND. April 20 -- May 8, 2009.

MANCHESTER HOUSE RESIDENCY. Bismarck, ND. Week of June 1, 2009.

WEST RIVER HEAD START "SCHOOLS AND ARTISTS AS LEARNING TEAMS" RESIDENCY. Mandan, ND. 2008-2009 School Year.

Recent Projects (Fondly Remembered):

BLOOD MOTHER: THE WILD WOMAN'S GUIDE TO MASS MARKETING AND OTHER MODERN (MIS)ADVENTURES, written by Karen Van Fossan and Dragon Jane. Spring/Summer 2009.

PEACE PARADE. Monday, September 1, at 1 PM. Minneapolis/Saint Paul, MN.

TUMBLEWEED CABARET: THE MYTH OF THE GOLDEN THREAD. The Lowry Theater, 16 West Fifth Street, St. Paul, MN. Monday, September 1, at 7:30 PM.

TALENT NIGHT. Frances Leach High Prairie Arts and Science Center's Imagination Theatre, 1810 Schafer St, Bismarck, ND. Saturday, September 6. Social, 7:30 PM. Talent Show, 8 PM.

ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RESIDENCY. Bismarck, ND. Beginning October 1, 2008.

Bringing "Dragon Jane" to Your School or Event

The Dragon Jane Performance Art Company focuses on the excellence of each performer, child or adult, and seeks to nurture this excellence for the sake of the individual and the community as a whole. We promote...

• Character development skills, such as nonviolent communication, empathy, self-confidence, self-esteem, and generosity.
• Artistic expression through drama and creative movement, with inclusion of music, language arts, or visual arts as needed.
• Multiple intelligences through an integrated, multi-modal approach to supporting the core curriculum.
• Healthy respect for the natural world.

Our intention is to foster a safe environment in which each child can not only create, express, and experiment, but also gain the capacity to tolerate the creativity, expressiveness, and experimentation of peers. We do our best to model collaboration, respect, non-violence, and courage to take creative risks.

Dragon Jane has offered children's programming and K-12 education at various settings across North Dakota, as well as the International Peace Gardens.

Dragon Jane is on the Roster of Artists-in-Residence with the North Dakota Council on the Arts. Dragon Jane is also a member of the Dakota West Arts Council and a "Teaching Artist" in the Art Venture program.

Reviews of Dragon Jane

"I thought I was in New York!"

-Michelle Steinwand, Founder, WomanSong

"Our evaluations keep coming in: 'We love Dragon Jane!'"

-Fargo Fall Festival

"Dragon Jane is a living example of the Gandhian philosophy -- 'Be the change you wish to see in the world.' These women aren’t just talking about peace — they’re walking, leaping, acting, spiraling, and embodying peace. Dragon Jane’s creative, upbeat, and emotive performances will illuminate the hearts of kids, the young at heart, and our wise elders."

-Rae Abileah, national coordinator, CODEPINK Women for Peace, San Francisco, CA

"Dragon Jane is a life force!"

-Bonnie Palecek, founder, ND Council on Abused Women's Services

Members

Karen Van Fossan, Director

• M.A., Dance/Movement Therapy, Naropa University, Boulder, CO, 2003.
• M.A., Children's Literature, Hollins University, Roanoke, VA, 2001.
• 2007 Archibald Bush Artist Fellow. Former member of Pinwheel Modern Dance Company. Recipient of the North Dakota Prairie Peacemaker Award and the Love Without Fear Award.

Lola Huwe

• 70-year-old mother and grandma extraordinaire, reclaiming the wisdom of “old age.”
• Retired legal secretary.
• Seasoned public speaker, volunteer, and community activist.

Ramona Redding Lopez

• Mother of two; trained singer, dancer, and musician.
• Co-founder of Urban Harvest, local art and farmers' market.
• President of the Missouri Valley Resource Council, community action group.

Tracy Wanek

• B.S., Mathematics & Statistics, Loyola University, Chicago, IL, 2001.
• Co-founder of Urban Harvest, local art and farmers' market.
• PTO president, Bismarck Community Gardens coordinator, and slow food advocate.

Recent Performances and Projects

Aug. 2008	Urban Harvest	Bismarck, ND
Aug. 2008	National Nite Out Against Crime	Boys & Girls Club, McLaughlin, SD
Aug. 2008	ND Career & Technical Ed. Conference	Ramkota, Bismarck, ND
July 2008	ND Capital Pride Fest	Eagles Park, Bismarck, ND
Dec., 2007	Apple Creek School Performance	Art Venture, Bismarck, ND
Dec., 2007	Play Day	Dragon Jane and Friends, Bismarck, ND
Dec., 2007	Life After Fear Workshop	ND Council on Abused Women's Services, Bismarck, ND
Nov., 2007	That Takes Ovaries	Dakota Stage Ltd., Bismarck, ND
Oct., 2007	Litchville-Marion Elementary & High School	Litchville & Marion, ND
Oct., 2007	ND Peace Concert	ND Peace Coalition, Bismarck, ND
Sept., 2007	Fall Festival	Fargo, ND
Sept., 2007	Woman Song	Edgeley, ND
Aug., 2007	Urban Harvest	Bismarck, ND
July, 2007	Life After Fear Workshop	ND Council on Abused Women's Services, Bismarck, ND
July, 2007	Brown Bag in the Park	Dakota West Arts Council, Bismarck, ND
June, 2007	International Peace Festival	International Peace Gardens, USA/CANADA
May, 2007	Private Party for ND Senator	Bismarck, ND
April, 2007	Head Start and BECEP	Art Venture, Bismarck, ND
March, 2007	Statewide Arts Conference	ND Council on the Arts, Bismarck, ND
Feb. 16 & 17, 2007	V-Day	Bismarck State College, Bismarck, ND
Feb. 3, 2007	Live Art in Motion	Dakota West Arts Council, Bismarck, ND
Jan. 21, 2007	Peace Pole Re-Dedication	Riverside Elementary School, Bismarck, ND
Nov. 17 & 18, 2006	Late Night Alternative	High Prairie Arts Complex, Bismarck, ND
October 13, 2006	ND Peace Conference	Lake Region St. Coll., Devils Lake, ND
July 27, 2006	Free Public Performance	Urban Harvest Market, Bismarck, ND
July 22, 2006	PrideFest	Eagles Park, Bismarck, ND
July 11, 2006	Eyes Wide Open Exhibit	ND Capitol Mall, Bismarck, ND
July 4, 2006	Free Public Performance	Art in the Park, Mandan, ND
April 7 & 8, 2006	That Takes Ovaries!	Dakota Stage Limited, Bismarck, ND
March 11 & 12, 2006	V-Day	Bismarck St. Coll., Bismarck, ND
January 23, 2006	Statewide Board Meeting	Council on Abused Women's Services, Bismarck, ND
January 13, 2006	Peace Studies Series	Sisters of the Presentation, Fargo, ND
December 18, 2005	Winter Celebration	Unitarian Church, Bismarck, ND
August 31, 2005	Free Public Performance	Urban Harvest Market, Bismarck, ND